What the card covers, and what it leaves to your card
Most of American mahjong is the same every year: the 152 tiles, the deal, the Charleston, calling and jokers. That is what fits on one card. The hands themselves change every spring and live only on the League's card, which you buy each year. Keep the two side by side.
A worked turn
You hold 13 tiles. The player on your left discards a 5 Dot, and you already hold two 5 Dots for a line on your card. Say "call" before the next player draws, take the tile, put your three 5 Dots face up on your rack, and discard. Play then moves on from you, so the player between you is skipped. If you held only one 5 Dot, you could not call it: a pair is never called unless it finishes your hand.
Payments, with numbers
Say the hand you finish is worth 25 on the card. If you won on Dana's discard, Dana pays 50 and the other two pay 25 each: 100 in all. If you drew the winning tile from the wall, all three pay 50: 150 in all. Many tables also double a hand finished with no jokers, except Singles and Pairs hands, which can't use jokers anyway.
Questions
Is there a free American mahjong cheat sheet I can print?
Yes. The card on this page prints on one Letter page, with no sign-up. Press Print the card and only the card prints.
Does the cheat sheet show the hands?
No. The hands belong to the National Mah Jongg League's card, which changes every year. Use this card for the rules and the League's card for the hands.
Can I pass a joker in the Charleston?
No. Jokers are never passed in the Charleston, the courtesy pass included.
Who goes first in American mahjong?
East. East starts with 14 tiles and, after the Charleston, discards first. Play then moves to the right.
Related cards
Small Table Mahj is an independent guide written in our own words. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Mah Jongg League, and it shows no hands from the League's card. Buy this year's card from the League.
